FAA Relaxes Use Of Electronics On Airplanes

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is relaxing the use of personal electronic devices (PED) on airplanes.

Anyone who travels on a regular basis is used to turning off all PEDs during take-offs and landings following the rules instituted by the FAA to protect planes from electronic interference from those devices.

Talk that the airline regulator would relax the rules for travelers has been in the news since earlier this year. In June, The Inquisitr reported an FAA panel was reviewing the strict policies and would announce their finding after September.

On a press release published on Thursday, FAA administrator Michael Huerta, said “the FAA has determined that airlines can safely expand passenger use of Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) during all phases of flight, and is immediately providing the airlines with implementation guidance.”

The release adds that due to differences fleets and operations the implementation of the changes will vary among airlines, however, the FAA expects most carriers will have the changes available by year’s end.

The implementation of the revised rules follow extensive studies by “representatives from the airlines, aviation manufacturers, passengers, pilots, flight attendants, and the mobile technology industry,” according to the FAA.

The FAA statement reads in part:

“Passengers will eventually be able to read e-books, play games, and watch videos on their devices during all phases of flight, with very limited exceptions. Electronic items, books and magazines, must be held or put in the seat back pocket during the actual takeoff and landing roll. Cell phones should be in airplane mode or with cellular service disabled – i.e., no signal bars displayed-and cannot be used for voice communications based on FCC regulations that prohibit any airborne calls using cell phones. If your air carrier provides Wi-Fi service during flight, you may use those services. You can also continue to use short-range Bluetooth accessories, like wireless keyboards.”

The Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) states the airlines will be provided with instructions on how to implement the changes and can determine in what instances passengers will need to turn off their PEDs.

In cases such as low visibility, the crew might still ask passengers to shut down their devices.

The FAA insists the public must follow crew members instructions when required to put away their PEDs. Heavy electronics, such as laptops, still need to be stowed away safely.

Connections to the internet to surf, exchange emails, text or download data will still be prohibited below 10,000 feet. Passengers will be allowed to connect to WiFi network provided by the airline.

The FAA says even though the use of electronic regulations are being relaxed, cell phone calls during flight will still be prohibited. The full press release can be read here.